Is it Too Soon to Deck the Halls? New York's November Dilemma
New York City: The concrete jungle where dreams are made, bagels are worshipped, and apparently, Christmas decorations start sprouting like weeds before Halloween has even finished its pumpkin spice latte. It’s November. The leaves are still clinging to their branches like a kid refusing to go to school. And yet, there, amidst the chaos of yellow taxis and towering skyscrapers, you spot a suspiciously festive glow.
The Great Christmas Creep
Is it just me, or does the holiday season start earlier every year? It's like retailers are in a silent, yet cutthroat competition to see who can plaster their stores with tinsel first. November used to be a time for turkey, gratitude, and maybe a sneaky peak at Black Friday deals. Now, it's a full-blown assault on the senses with jingle bells and saccharine tunes.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas as much as the next person. There’s something undeniably magical about the city that never sleeps, transformed into a twinkling wonderland. But when the Rockefeller Center tree is still a distant dream, and you're dodging inflatable snowmen on the sidewalk, it feels a bit like a Grinch-sized plot twist.
When Does the Madness Begin?
So, when exactly does New York City officially give in to the Christmas spirit? Well, if you're talking about the major department stores, they seem to think November 1st is a perfectly reasonable date to start transforming their windows into wintery spectacles. But fear not, casual observer, for most residential areas maintain a semblance of normalcy until after Thanksgiving.
It's a delicate balance, really. You want to be ready to embrace the holiday cheer, but you also don't want to be the first on your block to break out the candy canes. So, what's a festive-minded New Yorker to do? Embrace the chaos, of course! After all, isn't part of the fun watching the city gradually morph into a winter wonderland?
How to Survive the Christmas Creep
- How to resist the urge to buy Christmas decorations in November: Remind yourself of the impending horror of taking them down in January.
- How to enjoy the festive atmosphere without going overboard: Admire the decorations from afar, but resist the temptation to buy every single Christmas-themed item you see.
- How to maintain your sanity during the holiday rush: Remember, it's just a season. Take deep breaths and enjoy the little things.
- How to find the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of the commercialism: Spend time with loved ones, volunteer your time, and appreciate the simple joys of the season.
- How to cope with post-Christmas blues: Plan a fun winter activity, like ice skating or sledding, to help you transition back to normal life.